Kiss of the Spider Woman

Life in a dreary Argentine prison feels almost pleasant in Kiss of the Spider Woman, which means this latest film adaptation isn’t as emotionally impactful as it should be.

The film from director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) is based on the Tony-winning Broadway musical interpretation of Manuel Puig’s novel, rather than the stage play that inspired Hector Babenco’s 1985 big-screen reimagining of the same name.

Visually striking as it contrasts bleak reality with vibrant fantasy, the new version features some lively production numbers yet rarely digs beneath the stylish surface with meaningful thematic substance.

Valentin (Diego Luna) is imprisoned for his role in protesting the country’s military dictatorship during the early 1980s. Preferring to isolate himself in his books, he rolls his eyes at cellmate Molina (Tonatiuh), a queer hairdresser convicted of a lewd crime.

Molina is flirtatious and flamboyant, apparently grappling with gender-identity issues but also concealing secrets about his background. “You’re not my type,” he explains. “I’m looking for someone to settle down with, not storm the barricades.”

Most of all, he’s a classic movie buff obsessed with diva Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez) who starred in his favorite childhood films. To pass the time, and initially against Valentin’s wishes, Molina vividly recounts the plot of Ingrid’s most famous musical — with both of them as the main characters.

Along the way, they gradually establish a trust and uneasy rapport while sharing personal details. That sparks a deeper attraction as the lines between fact and fiction start to blur.

As you question how much of what they’re revealing is true, however, you realize that you don’t care as much as you should about the answers.

Jumping between points of view, Condon’s screenplay is more playful than hard-hitting, especially considering the harrowing sociopolitical backdrop. The intrigue and eroticism feel muted in a story that’s destined for tragedy.

Tonatiuh, a relative newcomer playing the same role that earned William Hurt an Oscar 40 years ago, brings a magnetic energy to his captivating and fully committed performance. Meanwhile, Lopez is sultry and seductive as the enigmatic title character with a dazzling array of costumes and hairstyles.

Ultimately, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a salute to the escapist power of musicals that muddles the source material and doesn’t add up to much in the end.

Rated R, 128 minutes.